Our Boys and Girls.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1033, 18 December 1891, Page 6

Our Boys and Girls.

THE STORY OF NEBRASKA ALLEN.

(St. Nicholas.) (Concluded.) But the pony, although labouring very hard, was making slow progress, and when they were about a quarter of a mile from the other bank, came to a dead stop. He floundered around, but could not get farther. All at once, like a flash, the thought came to Nebraska—the quicksands ! Looking down she could see the pony’s feet sinking, and knew he was in the sands. Her brave heart almost stood still as she looked around and saw nothing but the dark water in all directions, and felt her horse steadily sinking —sinking into the awful death-trap. She coaxed and urged her pony, and tfce faithful animal made every effort to get out, but stuck fast. For an instant Nebraska despaired; then her natural daring and frontier training triumphed. She jumped from the pony, and bravely sfcruok out for, the shore.

Her thick clothes retarded her progress greatly, but, throwing oil her cloak aa she swam, she at last reached the shore, shivering and wet.

And tlio pony, freod from his burden, managed after a desperate struggle to scramble to firm ground, and walked to the river bank.

After Nebraska found herself safo, and began to think about Pawnee, she decided that he could not escape, and sorrowfully started to walk homo. Imagine her surprise, when, as she was walking rapidly along, she heard a whinny and pattering hoof-beats, and the next moment felt Pawnee’s cold nose on her shoulder. Slie was surprised, but of course delighted to know that he was safe. She jumped upon his back, and, as the storm was nearly over and the snow not very thick, both Bteed and rider knew the way home, and reached the bouse in safety a little after dark.

Her parents would nob have been worried in the least had it not been for the storm, but as it was they were greatly relieved when Nebraska burst in at the door. She was not hurt at all by her cold bath, which might have chilled a girl of less endurance, and, with the exception of the loss of her cloak, and the disappointment at not shooting a buffalo, she felt little regret over the misadventure.

Another time she had been to visit at their neighbour’s, and started for home when it was nearly dark ; but as it was a moonlight night she did not feel lonely and had just thought, ‘ What a lovely evening for a ride !’ when she heard pattering steps. Looking around, she saw two wolves stealthily following. She urged her pony to his greatest speed, and tried to think out what she could do, for she was by this time only half-way home, and seven miles from the nearest house.

She kept perfectly still because she knew that if sh 6 screamed before she was attacked, although she knew it would scare the animals away for a time, they would return, and would soon get used to the noise and not be frightened by it. She felt 6ure that so few of them would not dare attack her, for wolves are very cowardly, but she also knew that they would summon the rest of tho pack almost immediately. Tho wolves were now in full pursuit, and she, glancing back, saw there were three. She was alarmed indeed now, and as they weie gaining on her every minute, she knew something was to be done if she was to reach home alive. She knew the wolves would not long hesitate to attack her, for thore was quite a large pack of them gathering. Her pony, too, sniffed danger, aud the next instant, before she comprehended what he was going to do, he had turned and sprung right into the midst of tho snarling pack, pawing and kicking right and left ! He had not forgotten his wild habits, nor how he had many times saved bimsolf from the ferocious animals. And now his bravery stood his mistress in good stead, for as his feet came down on the wolves fierce yelps showed that he was not dealing gentle taps. In a few seconds there were four stretched dead on the ground, and the others had fled.

Nebraska had thought, as soon as she knew what he was going to do, that Bhe was safe if she could keep on his hack, and this required all her strength and skill. When the pack were gone she looked down at the dead bodies, and shuddered as she thought of her narrow escape. With no injuries and only a few anxious minutes, she had secured four dead wolves, worth more than fifty dollars. She dismounted and slung them over Pawnee’s back, and then galloped home. No need of saying that her father and mother were surprised to see her come up to the door and exhibit triumphantly four slain wolves. After this glorious exploit, Pawnee was more petted than before.. Did he not deserve it ? The summer that Nebraska was fifteen, a party of surveyors, who were laying out the land for a railroad, b»arded at her father a house. They stayed in that neighbourhood for three weeks, and during this time Nebraska became much interested in their books and surveying instruments. The leader of the party kindly taught her the elements of surveying, and even something of the higher mathematics, geometry and algebra. He also gave her several books on these subjects for study by herself. Houses had been Bpringing up here and there, and now neighbours were not farther than five or six miles from one another; and one day tho glad news spread that a doctor had moved into the settlement. Here wn3 tho opportunity Nebraska had always longed for, to study physiology. And to make the matter all tlio easier and. pleasanter, the new doctor proved to be one of Mr Allen’s schoolmates, one whom he had not seen since their school-days. Dr. Davis was more than willing to teaoh Nebraßka, and let her have full access to his library and specimens.

And when at last tho railroad did come, and the station was placed right on the corner of her father’s land, and a little town sprang up, and the school came, Nebraska Allen no longer needed to be taught as ,a scholar, but was ready to be principal of the new school.

This little story is founded upon facts, and this girl, who could swim, shoot, and ride so well, also prepared herself to be a successful teacher, although she never went to school a day in her life.